Electric Bike Share program launches in Santa Cruz

Just in time for Bike to Work Day, the City of Santa Cruz launched its first ever Bike Share system.

It’s something city leaders say has long been sought, but have lacked the funding for.

“The community has been asking us for bike share for a long time,” says Transportation Planner Claire Fliesler. “Many people say I traveled to Barcelona, I traveled to Paris, I traveled to New York and I tried this great Bike Share system. Why don’t we have that here? And for the longest time it was because we did not have the financial capacity to do it.”

Fliesler says that changed with the current vendor.

“We were able to negotiate a no cost to the city contract where all of the capital and operating expenses are borne by our vendors, Jump Bikes, and the city is just a partner to make sure they get up and running here,” she said.

There are currently 15 bikes available around the city. By the end of the month, the city is aiming to get that number up to 250 with more than 25 locations to rent the bikes.

To use them, a person must first download the “Jump Bike” app on their cell phone or go to the Jump Bikes website. After creating a login and putting in payment information you are given an account number you use to unlock the bike.

Theft and vandalism has been a concern. Fliesler says they have taken steps to prevent that.

“Each of these bikes has a GPS on board. We’re able to check them in real time. Additionally because you have to sign up in advance with a name and it’s linked to a credit card, it means if you do something to the bike it’s linked to you.”

Most people KION spoke with were excited about the new program. Some raised concerns about biking safety and how many more people it will bring to the already crowded West Cliff area.

For more information on the Bike Share program and for locations of the bike racks, click here.

KION’s Ashley Keehn will have more at 5p.m. & 6p.m.